Real vs. Fake: How to Identify An Authentic KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK

7th August 2025 EDT FEATURES

Real vs. Fake: How to Identify An Authentic KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK

Discover how our expert authenticators use high-precision digital microscopes and specialized knowledge to differentiate genuine KAWS Tension BE@RBRICK figures from fakes.

Real vs. Fake: How to Identify An Authentic KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK

Bearbrick KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% Retail US$

BE@RBRICK is a popular figure brand sold by Medicom Toy. Originally inspired by teddy bears, the brand has expanded through collaborations across various genres and cultures—including anime, movies, and celebrities—earning a massive fan following. Due to its soaring popularity, counterfeit BE@RBRICK have begun circulating in the secondary market, so caution is essential.

In this feature, we focus on how professional authenticators from SNKRDUNK assess the authenticity of the KAWS Tension 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK figure released on 16 July 2021. Keep in mind, the methods shared here represent only a portion of the authentication process. For those hesitant about buying on resale platforms, this guide offers valuable reference points.

The authentication clues shared here apply to certain known fakes—not all—so consider this a case study.

About the KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK Figures

KAWS TENSION 100% & 400% BE@RBRICK Real vs Fake

This special edition is a collaboration with KAWS, the renowned artist known for his iconic ‘XX’ eyes motif. Even if his name doesn’t ring a bell, his unmistakable artwork has likely caught your eye somewhere. Thanks to this high-profile partnership with the beloved BE@RBRICK brand, numerous listings have flooded the resale market—unfortunately, many of which are counterfeit.

View on SNKRDUNK

Authentication Points

At SNKRDUNK, authenticating KAWS Tension BE@RBRICK figures goes beyond the naked eye—we deploy a high-precision digital microscope to detect subtle details invisible at first glance. Here’s what our experts carefully inspect:

▪ Logo on the Bottom of the Box

The “BE@RBRICK” logo font on a genuine box features a distinctive rounded corner on the letter “B.” Fake boxes, in contrast, show sharp corners and noticeable differences in the curves.

▪ Trademark “TM” Mark

On real boxes, you’ll spot scattered ink dots in red, light blue, and green around the “TM” symbol. Fakes differ by displaying a two-tone ink pattern — green at the bottom switching abruptly to blue on top. Plus, the fake font is slightly thinner than the original.

▪ KAWS “XX” Logo Details

On genuine products, the lines of KAWS’s trademark crossed-out eyes are sharply printed with minimal bleeding. Fake versions often have thicker lines with pronounced bleeding. Additionally, the fake’s nose and mouth lines are noticeably shorter.

▪ Hologram on the Back of the Box

Look closely at the “B” font hole in the hologram. Authentic boxes use distinct clusters of dots to form each hole, while fakes have blurred dots, making holes appear solid or misshapen. Near the “TM,” real holograms faintly show a “T” emerging from below the “L” on the left side, whereas fakes print the “T” on top of the “L,” creating a bold, dot-heavy effect.

▪ Figure’s Underside “MEDICOM TOY” Logo

The engraving on real figures shows slightly warped alphabet outlines, especially noticeable in the “M” and “E.” Fakes display straighter outlines with sharp corners. Importantly, sharp and clear engraving doesn’t guarantee authenticity, as some high-quality fakes deceive with clean cuts.

▪ Figure’s Underside “BE@RBRICK” Logo

Focus on the “B” hole: real logos have clean, smooth edges without jaggedness, while fake logos may have missing sections or uneven lines in the hole’s shape. The “@” sign on real figures is thicker and subtly warped, compared to the fake’s thinner font that appears sharply embossed.

Video Comparison

【スニダンFAKE情報報告】

Bearbrick KAWS TENSION 100% & 400%のFAKE情報を報告します。

フリマアプリでFAKE/偽造品が多く流通しており注意が必要です。
詳細は動画をご覧ください。

スニダンでは最新の鑑定情報を随時お知らせしていきます‍。 pic.twitter.com/SK2l333ewO
— スニーカー&トレカ買うならスニダン【スニーカーダンク】 (@snkrdunk_jp) February 28, 2025

Conclusion

It’s important to note that sometimes the REAL versions intentionally feature distorted shapes or slight irregularities as part of their unique design. Because of this, just because a FAKE looks sharper or clearer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not authentic.

The examples introduced here are just a fraction of what to look out for, and given how rapidly fake manufacturing techniques are improving, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for non-experts to spot counterfeits. However, with the help of a high-precision digital microscope that reveals tiny details invisible to the naked eye, these subtle differences can be detected.

At SNKRDUNK, professional authenticators combine advanced technology with extensive experience to provide highly accurate authentication services. So, when purchasing from the resale market, we highly recommend using our expert verification to ensure a safe and confident transaction.

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?

As a leader in the industry, our lab is dedicated to tackling the social and economic problems caused by counterfeit goods. We aim to improve authentication technology and raise awareness about fakes by strengthening our partnerships with domestic and international experts and research institutions. By combining technology, data, and human expertise, we are creating the future standard for what is authentic.

Our Main Activities

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods
SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.

Improving Our Authentication Technology
By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.

Communicating for Public Awareness
We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.